บท 27: Let's talk when you're ready.

I pulled up to the office tower a few hours later, its glass façade reflecting the dying light of the day. The sleek, modern building was a symbol of my success, a testament to my relentless ambition.

Yet, as I stepped out of the car and walked through the revolving doors, it felt like a hollow monument. The events of the afternoon weighed heavily on my mind, each step echoing with uncertainty.

"Good evening, Ms. Steele," the security guard greeted me, his voice a mix of deference and curiosity. It wasn't often that I returned to the office after hours.

"Good evening, James," I replied, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. "Any updates while I was out?"

"Just the usual reports and a few urgent emails," he said, handing me a stack of documents. "Your assistant left them on your desk."